Bowling Green Upgrades !
05-21-2015, 12:00 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
$400 Million to improve Bowling Green
Just viewed this bulletin from Automotive News, states that GM is committing $400 million to improve the plant, specifically the paint plant and process. GOOD NEWS!!!! And it does seem that they listen sometimes!
http://www.autonews.com/article/2015...ews-firstshift
http://www.autonews.com/article/2015...ews-firstshift
05-21-2015, 12:08 PM
#2
Team Owner
Thanks, but if you look down about 3 threads or so you will see this news has already been shared.
05-21-2015, 12:13 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
Great news! Guess I need to start saving for a C8! IF the new paint does away with Orange Peel....the cost of the car is going to increase dramatically. Oh...Oh!! 
Thanks GM for listening.... Long time coming...but better late than never!!
And what the heck are the forum members going to do if we can't complain/whine about Corvette Orange Peel any longer???!
Thanks GM for listening.... Long time coming...but better late than never!!
And what the heck are the forum members going to do if we can't complain/whine about Corvette Orange Peel any longer???!
05-21-2015, 12:47 PM
#4
Pro
Bowling Green Upgrades !
FYI.....Chevrolet Corvette Plant Gets $439 Million in Upgrades
http://media.chevrolet.com/media/us/...ing-green.html
http://media.chevrolet.com/media/us/...ing-green.html
05-21-2015, 12:52 PM
#6
Le Mans Master
Will orange peel and poorly aligned panels now be a thing of the past with this upgrade?
05-21-2015, 01:51 PM
#7
Safety Car
Member Since: Oct 2012
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St. Jude Donor '15
Do you suppose that those of us with horrid paint jobs will be allowed to send our cars back so that they can test there new paint booth before production runs
05-21-2015, 02:39 PM
#8
Drifting
I'm so proud that GM is going to stay up front with a new paint shop. I just think it is wonderful. Will take a few years to build the update. I'm the Proud Owner of a 2014 C7. Yes my Vette may have some orange peel but, it's the prettiest orange peel in the world. Did I say that I Love My Vette, I still do and I would buy it again, and again.. Thanks GM for continually to improve America's Sports Car.. 
05-21-2015, 02:47 PM
#9
most of this money will be earmarked for Rear engine production retool of the factory for the upcoming Zora and C8 rear/mid engine platform.
Last edited by Elegant1; 05-22-2015 at 11:53 AM.
05-21-2015, 05:56 PM
#10
Pro
Actually, I may be one of the few that hopes they don't go mid engine. With the balance of the car already at 50-50, I don't see enough advantages to this. It will become an expensive "pleasure only" car and lose some of the daily driver features such as storage. They will lose a lot of customers that will need a little practicality to an already great sports car.
05-21-2015, 06:13 PM
#11
Actually, I may be one of the few that hopes they don't go mid engine. With the balance of the car already at 50-50, I don't see enough advantages to this. It will become an expensive "pleasure only" car and lose some of the daily driver features such as storage. They will lose a lot of customers that will need a little practicality to an already great sports car.
Last edited by Elegant1; 05-21-2015 at 10:28 PM.
05-21-2015, 06:25 PM
#12
Pro
I agree, but I think the hand writing is already on the wall. At almost half a billion that money is going for some serious re tooling im afraid. Im guessing with this press release the C8 has been given the green light and development will now proceed forward. Expect to see a rear engine C8 in about 5 years, fall of 2021 as a 2022 model.
05-21-2015, 08:48 PM
#14
Instructor
05-21-2015, 11:35 PM
#16
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
05-22-2015, 09:12 AM
#17
Pro
Thread Starter
Have a wonderful day......
05-22-2015, 11:43 AM
#19
It will be a 150-200k option. The standard front engined design will still be around. I think this coincides with rumors that GM wants to spin off the Corvette brand into its own division with its own dealerships to offer a higher-end experience to its customers. Also the mid-engined vehicle is going to be a complete %#$# to work on. With that car, you'll pretty much HAVE to take it to the dealer for service. So it will help boost profits as well.
05-22-2015, 11:57 AM
#20
Burning Brakes
From the GM notice:
"State-of-the-art FANUC robots with Versa-bell 3 electrostatic applicators for an extremely smooth finish and maximum transfer efficiency, saving 25 percent of the paint material used, which also benefits the environment
Longer, high-efficiency baking ovens for exceptional paint finish and lower energy use.
"With this major technology investment, we can continue to exceed the expectations of sports car buyers for years to come," said North American Manufacturing Manager Arvin Jones. "These types of investments are evidence that the customer is at the center of every decision we make.""
It appears that they think they already have excellent paint so we'll have to see how this pans out.
"State-of-the-art FANUC robots with Versa-bell 3 electrostatic applicators for an extremely smooth finish and maximum transfer efficiency, saving 25 percent of the paint material used, which also benefits the environment
Longer, high-efficiency baking ovens for exceptional paint finish and lower energy use.
"With this major technology investment, we can continue to exceed the expectations of sports car buyers for years to come," said North American Manufacturing Manager Arvin Jones. "These types of investments are evidence that the customer is at the center of every decision we make.""
It appears that they think they already have excellent paint so we'll have to see how this pans out.